winter

In memory... Cross and steeple of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, on Main Street in Aspen.

On the night when I took this photo, the illuminated cross and steeple of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, on Main Street in Aspen, served as a beacon to me…

On this night, I hope faith is with our friends… While I was coaching an out-of-town hockey game today, we received some awful news: a parent of a boy on the team was told that her husband was killed in a small plane crash. So, tonight I pray that Christy, Dante, and the rest of Bryan’s family and friends can find their own light amidst the darkness of their loss.

end of day at Highlands, sunlight through clouds, ravens in lone gnarled tree

This lone, weathered tree really stands out, on “Deception” ski run at Aspen Highlands (double-black in Oly Bowl), and it’s usually a good spot for a breather after the first pitch of pretty steep moguls there. This was my last run on this particular day (happy bday, sis!), and the sun was breaking through the clouds and really lighting up the snow where I was skiing, contrasting the darker areas all around me. This pair of ravens up in the tree squawked when I first came down–and helped draw my attention to the scene–but then they seemed content to let me hang out too, and take it all in… another good day on the hill! (ski day #13 of 52)

First major snowfall of the season, as seen from my bedroom window this morning!

We had our first big snowfall of the year last night! Reports of up to 12-14 inches fell up in the mountains, and we got at least 4-5 in. here in town, so everything was blanketed in white and beautiful this morning. I guess as many people prayed for snow as voted for President-elect Obama yesterday… Well, at least I can be happy about all this beautiful snow! Bring on ski season! (And, I look forward to being proven wrong on the political front.)

Since tomorrow will officially be one year since I moved to Aspen, I thought I’d share another pic from the beautiful day at Ashcroft when I finally made the decision to move up here. See my Oct 14th post for another photo from that day.

I can’t wait for ski season! So, here’s a photo of my favorite place to ski last season…

This is the start of the hike up to the top of the Highland Bowl (12,382 ft), from the top of the lift-served part of Aspen Highlands ski area. The hike up takes ~30-45 minutes (45 my first time, <30 on my last), if you don't take the snowcat (which I never do!).

This particular day featured fantastic skiing in deep powder, with cool but sunny weather, and some low clouds, which created the great lighting effects here.